Supreme Court and Sabbath
Christian Sabbath Day observance is not a legal requirement as it was for the Israelites. When the Lord commanded His chosen people to refrain from work on the Sabbath, He was serious. However, over time, the law accumulated complications and restrictions, muddying its intent. Jesus clarified that the Sabbath was created for man's benefit, not the other way around, implying that genuine acts of mercy weren't subject to the law.
The spirit of the law promoted rest, especially rest in the Lord, which implied prayer and worship of God as the creator and the one who delivered them from Egypt. The most significant shift was not merely a better comprehension of the Sabbath law but its fulfillment in Christ, who came to be our Sabbath rest. "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest," our Lord declared. Sunday is not the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament Sabbath, for it is not a legal obligation for us.
Yet, we have good reason to appreciate the Supreme Court's ruling concerning Pennsylvania mail carrier Gerald Groff, who declined to work on Sundays because, as he stated, Sundays are for church and family. Groff is correct. The Church has always recognized Sunday as special, celebrating our Lord's resurrection and thus embodying the spirit, not the letter, of the Sabbath. Yes, one could worship on a Saturday or Wednesday instead or additionally, but Sunday, by the mutual agreement of God's people, has been sanctified. Therefore, the actual day does matter.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that businesses must respect the Free Exercise of Religion, emphasizing the importance of conscience. In a free society, a genuine constitutional republic, this matters. The free exercise of religion acknowledges that the state isn't all-encompassing. Before the state comes God and family, the fundamental institutions of our shared humanity. The free exercise of religion, the First Amendment's initial freedom, checks government and society, emphasizing that while the government can make certain demands, it has no right to our conscience or souls. If only the Supreme Court had been so clear when ruling in the cases of Jack Phillips or Barronelle Stutzman.
No right is absolute. However, Goffman won his case because his choice to not work on Sunday wouldn't incur "substantial increased costs" to the business. That is, the law must take into account reasonable accommodation. In the cases of Phillips or Stutzman, it's clear that no one was actually harmed by their refusal to use their talents to celebrate so-called gay weddings. There were numerous other bakeries and florists nearby. A society that legally sides against Phillips and Stutzman values compulsion and conformity more than conscience and liberty.
Groff may or may not be a Sabbatarian, that is, he may or may not perceive the Christian Sabbath as a matter of strict law. Regardless, he's onto something. It would be beneficial if more Christians took Sunday, especially Sunday morning, more seriously. Yes, Wednesday may work for some in some situations. Some jobs absolutely require occasional Sunday work. Yet, prioritizing Sunday morning above activities such as soccer and sleeping in would be beneficial for all of us. It would be a real shame if the Supreme Court made such a favorable decision to protect the free exercise of religion, and we, as Christians, failed to exercise that right and stayed home on the couch.
Today, we tip our hats to Gerald Groff and the Supreme Court. Let's take their courage and wisdom to heart, remembering Christ, our Lord of the Sabbath.
The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer is the Chairman and Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the M.A. program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
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